Phil SaintDenisSanchez''s debut collection self-portrait before & after my body tackles complex familial history and struggles, emerging in the rich backdrop of New Orleans, Louisiana. Through multilayered language and immersive imagery, SaintDenisSanchez interweaves political and social issues - from the lasting impacts of colonialism to environmental disaster - with intensely personal narratives of love, learning, and loss. The long, lyrical form and enrapturing poetic voice draw you in and refuse to let you go. self-portrait before & after my body maps a stunningly poignant family tree and gets at the root of the social forces that shaped its growth.